How Ton’s Career Has Evolved Over Time
- Ton SterkProduct Manager
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Ton’s 30-year Rabobank career: “I thought I’d give it a year”
When Ton joined Rabobank as an intern in the early ’90s, he had only one goal in mind: to graduate.“I was 23 and thought I’d give it a year,” he says. Things turned out differently than he expected. Ton has been at the bank for 30 years and counting, having started as a service desk agent. He then went on to become a product manager and now oversees tens of thousands of workstations.
“I’ve had many different roles at Rabobank,” says Ton. “I’ve been a service desk agent, project manager, specialist, scrum master, product owner and more, and I’ve loved every step.” Now a product manager and product owner, Ton is responsible for equipment such as laptops, operating systems and printers. He and his team help colleagues work smoothly and safely from anywhere in the world. “We facilitate hybrid working, allowing colleagues to work safely from home or join meetings from abroad.”
Curiosity Opens Doors
Ton initially had no idea where he wanted to end up. “I had no big career ambitions, really. But I did have an open mind.” That curiosity led him to various roles in the organization. “I had the opportunity to take courses, get qualifications and gain a lot of practical experience, whether through training or by trying out a new role.”Ton grew step by step into new roles. “I was encouraged to discover my strengths. And whenever something didn’t feel right, I didn’t feel judged. Having that freedom is what helped me to grow.”
A Lot to Process
Ton recalls several key moments from his thirty-year career, one of them being the trainee program from the early 2000s. “There was a lot to process. I received feedback not just on the job I was doing and the decisions I was making, but on how I worked together and communicated with others.” That experience anchored him in his journey. “I found my strengths, discovered where I needed to learn more, and brought those insights to every subsequent role. Rabobank invests in its people, and that’s made me the professional I am today.”
Old-School Punch Cards
But as Ton was moving from strength to strength, the world around him was changing beyond recognition. “When I started, we still used punch cards to record our hours.” Windows had just launched. And then we transitioned to laptops, centralized printing and the cloud solutions we’re familiar with today. I was brought into every phase, because to use new technology, you need to acquire new expertise. Rabobank gave me the training, the time to learn, and the freedom to make mistakes. You’ve got to stay up to date with tech, especially if you’re working in a banking environment.”
The Mature Way of Working
Ton explains how hybrid working, which has become second nature for everyone at the bank, hinges on trust. “It’s a sign of maturity. There are no hard-and-fast rules, but we do expect people to know when it’s appropriate to work remotely or at the office. I’ll go in if I need to work with my team but stay home if I need to focus. Rabobank has all the facilities in place, providing high-quality home workstations and an excellent IT infrastructure.”
Freedom to Take Part
The freedom Ton enjoys at Rabobank extends to his life outside work. For twelve years, he has been involved in a disability soccer team in which his son plays. “There were only four players when we first set up the team; now there are fifteen. We know that children with a physical or learning disability experience barriers to sport, which is why it’s so humbling to see what happens when you give them the freedom to take part.”
What he sees on the pitch is reflected in his experience at Rabobank. “People tend to grow when you focus on what they can rather than can’t do, and it doesn’t matter whether you’re a child or an experienced colleague.” It’s a way of thinking that has naturally flowed into his work. “Fundamentally, I want to create an inclusive environment for everyone.”
Focusing on Possibilities
Ton is committed to acts of kindness at work, too. For instance, his team recently donated used laptops to a sheltered living accommodation for people with learning disabilities. “They no longer worked for us, but they made a real difference for the residents.” The laptops allowed them to learn, communicate and become more independent. “It just shows the impact of technology when it’s used right. My team know that just as well as I do, and it reminds us why our work matters.”
30 Years Later
Reflecting on his career, Ton says, “I’ve enjoyed the journey. I’ve grown with the bank and technology and have gained the trust and freedom to develop. I feel right at home, so it’s no surprise I still come to work with a smile.”